I‘m going to install a porcelain tile floor. My question is when I install a tile up against a cabinet that people can see. Should I but the tile up against the cabinet or should I leave enough space to grout between the tile and the cabinet. Just wondering what the standard practice is , and what looks the best. Also I have a small crack in the concrete, which the tile company said it was so minor that not to worry about it. Although it caused a crack in my old tile that was originally installed. I would really like to prep the crack prior to installing the new tile. What would you recommend doing to prep the crack. Thanks
Install okorder / As far as looks of tile spacing, stay consistent. If you border uptight against one non-tile stuff, then do so against everything. Use either colored caulking or epoxy grout for corners. Cement based grout isn't flexible and will crack.
I like to leave a space between the cabinet and tile the same as the groutlines. About the crack. You can grind all the loose stuff off it and fill it with cement or something like that. but I've found that if the crack keeps getting bigger (if the house settles any more) there is nothing you can do except when the tile cracks replace it
first about the crack. If the old tile cracked over it, then the new will too. It's not about how big the crack is, but how much it moves. You can use an isolation membrane over the crack area to eliminate the problem. Ask your tile supplier about them. Now about the gap at the cabinets. You do want to leave a gap, but don't grout it, fill it with good flexible caulk. the movement there will only crack out the grout around the edge.
If at all possible remove the cabinet and tile under it this way you will have a new clean and level floor otherwise you are leaving a quarter inch drop off at the least for water,bacteria and mold to grow. As for the crack if you have a circular saw buy an in-expensive carborundum blade or mmasonryfor it then grove out the crack and use a hand chisel wherever you can't reach or use a hammer and mmasonrygouging chisel for the whole crack,diamond wheels on grinders work well also if you have one,then wire wheel or wire brush out the grove and vvacuumit thoroughly then put silicone in it to just below level then using your thin set mix enough to apply a thin layer to each side of the crack and level out the crack then use fiberglass drywall tape and possibly a geo grid type netting or vvinylscreening, if the slab is older and somewhat settled this is the only way without busting out the slab which is probably only 3 inch thick,and pouring a new 6 bag per yard high strength concreteon a vvibratortamped ssubstrate withvapor barriers.
I had a ceramic tile floor installed 5 years ago and I am still pleased. Remove the cabinets and tile under them if possible. If not tile right up flush to the cabinet. Have them cut some tiles about 3 wide and have them grouted onto the cabinet with a grout radius on top. You want the joint between tile and cabinet watertight (grout) if possible. If not a small bead of silicone with help keep moisture from penetrating the cabinet material. If you can put a tile on the crack without it rocking about, do not worry about it. It it rocks take a masonry chisel to the high area and get a level surface. A low spot can get filled with grout, not a problem. An uneven mount surface will break a tile over time, get it level. If there is evidence of water seepage/ wicking through the crack, you need to make it waterproof. Forget the installer that tells you not to worry about a uneven floor, he will be long gone and full of excuses as to why it broke. Do not forget to seal the grout lines per sealant instructions.
